Sony released Firmware Update 2.0 for Sony A77II which provides the following benefits:

• Improves autofocus speed

• Adds support for recording 60p/30p/24p movies in the XAVC S format that supports high bit rates

• When recording a movie in the XAVC S format, you must use a Class 10 or faster SDXC card.
• Refer to the Help Guide for details of XAVC S movie recording features
• If you format the memory card, all of the data will be erased. Please make sure that the data on the card is backed up before formatting the card.

Even though I was shooting RAW, the Sony A77II never hit the buffer or slowed down as I captured this sequence showing Jozy Altidore grabbing his hamstring and falling to the field in pain after tearing his hamstring in Team USA’s opening round World Cup match against Ghana.

Sony’s Remote Camera Control application allows you to control your Sony A7/A7R/A7S and to record images to your computer via the micro USB cable supplied with your camera. You can also use it to change camera settings from your computer, or perform interval-timed shooting.

(Please Note: Remote Camera Control works the same with any Sony camera that supports tethering including A99, A77II, A5000, A6000, A58, A900, A850 and A700 – Just make certain you have version 3.3 or later to tether Sony A7S or A77II)

Setting your camera up for tethered shooting

2. Connect the micro USB cable supplied with your camera to the Multi-Terminal USB port on the side of the A7/A7R/A7S camera.

3. Plug the other end of the cable into your computer’s USB port. Because the cable that comes with the camera is very short, I extend the range using a TetherPro USB 3 SuperSpeed active extension cable and support my laptop on a TetherTools Tether Table.

4. Turn on your camera then Open Remote Camera Control to establish a connection. Once you do, you can set a destination folder and control a number of camera settings.

5. You can view those images as they’re transferred to your computer by using Sony’s Image Data Converter software or third-party applications such as Adobe Lightroom, Aperture or Capture One. I prefer Adobe Lightroom – I set to watch the import folder:

Tethering Cables:

Cable Management:

I really like the TetherTools JerkStoppers because they keep the connection rock solid…(the nice folks at Tether Tools swear they didn’t name them after me)

Tether Tables:

TetherTools LoPro-2 Bracket

Tether Tables can be mounted on industry standard lightstands or tripods that you probably already have on set. I particularly like Tether Tools LoPro-2 Pro-Bracket for my Tether Table Aero. It’s small and light for travel and grooved to slip right into Arca-style Quick Release Heads that I have on all my tripods. It’s thin profile allows you to easily slip your Tether Table into your laptop bag or at the top of a roller bag when your head out for your next photo shoot.
TetherTools Tether Table Aero with LoPro-2 Bracket perfect for easy travel.

For more tips and tricks about getting the most out of your Sony A7 or A7R, check out my latest book from Peachpit Press, ‘Sony A7/A7R: From Snapshots to Great Shots‘. These ground-breaking compact full-frame cameras which combine the features and image quality of a top-end DSLR in a smaller camera at half the weight, quickly racked up an impressive list of accolades including Popular Photography’s and Photo District News ‘Camera of the Year’.

This book is your guide to getting the most out of Sony’s A7 and A7R cameras. While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show how to use the camera to create great images!

That’s where ‘Sony A7/A7R: From Snapshots to Great Shots‘ comes in. Starting with the top ten things users need to know about the camera, it carefully guides you through the operating features and how to use them with practical advice on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and assignments at the end of chapter.